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Violas for Advanced to Professional Players
Our large range of high quality new and antique violas includes professional violas and instruments for conservatoire students. We have many new instruments modeled on old Italian masters instruments such as Stradivari, Guarneri Del Gesu, Carlo Bergonzi, Guadanini, Montagnana and other celebrated Italian, German, French and British viola makers.
We encourage customers to relax and enjoy trying our instruments to ensure you make the right choice. You will have the opportunity to spend as much time as needed in one of our dedicated “trying out” rooms because all violas, and especially professional violas and those for conservatoire students are an investment that require time and consideration.
We strongly recommend that you experience our whole range of new, used and antique violas. As well as a large selection of second hand violas and antique violas, we have many new instruments by contemporary makers that are well worth trying. Our stock of violas changes constantly, and it is worth calling us to discuss your needs and tell us what you are looking for. We have over 40 new maker's instruments as well as twice as many old ones. Often we know of instruments belonging to friends or colleagues that may be suitable, so even if they are not in stock, we might be able to get hold of them.
We also keep a "wanted" list and try to find instruments with the qualities you are looking for. Please register your needs with us so we can look out for the right instrument for you! Email us at cardiffviolins@btconnect.com or call us on 02920 22 77 61
For our full range of upgrades, services, repairs and restoration, please click here.
The instruments below are for illustrative purposes only, please call 02920 227761 to enquire about availability.
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WILFRED SAUNDERS 1987 VIOLACharming viola from much loved British maker Wilfred Saunders, whose instruments have been played in many of the world's finest ensemble. View more…
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WILLIAM ROBINSON 1925 VIOLAViola in our opinion by and labelled : 16 3/16 two-piece back of wide matching figure. Ribs similar to the back, scroll of finer flame, belly fine to medium grain. View more… |
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COLIN ADAMSON VIOLASize 16 3/8. This spectacular viola sounds as good as it looks, and we strongly recommend you come and try it! Colin is a highly successful Scottish violin maker. To find out more about him, please click here. View more… |
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CLIFFORD HOING 1959 VIOLASize 16 1/2". Clifford Hoing is one of the most celebrated British makers of the 20th century. He received many awards and medals for his work, and made predominantly violas. His intruments have always sold well, and are much sought after. View more… |
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COLIN CROSS 2008 VIOLASize 16 1/4". No. 12. Colin Cross is a well-known British maker, very much loved for his excellent copies of violins and violas. To find out more about Colin, please click here. View more… |
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JOHN LANGSTAFFE 2009 VIOLAA graduate of the Newark School of Violin Making, John Langstaffe's instruments are loved by both professional and amateur musicians. View more… |
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LORENZO GUADO 1990 VIOLASize 16 1/2". Born in Italy, Lorenzo Guado came as a child to Britain, where his name was changed to Lawrence Ashford. However, he reverted back to his Italian name as a maker. We do not know much about him other than he studied violin making in Cremona and spent a lot of time in the UK, where he was selling a lot of instruments amongst professional makers, who very much like the powerful sound of his instruments. View more… |
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SEBASTIEN SEIXAS 1999 VIOLASize 16 1/2". View more… |
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MICHAELA WEDEMEYER VIOLA, NEWARK-ON-TRENT 19982-piece back, 16 5/8". Faint flame on the back, ribs of fine flame, belly of fine to medium grain, mellow and direct sound, good projection. An economical viola of excellent quality! View more… |
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LORENZO GUADO 1998 VIOLASize 16 1/2". Born in Italy, Lorenzo Guado came as a child to Britain, where his name was changed to Lawrence Ashford. However, he reverted back to his Italian name as a maker. We do not know much about him other than he studied violin making in Cremona and spent a lot of time in the UK, where he was selling a lot of instruments amongst professional makers, who very much like the powerful sound of his instruments. View more… |
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MAURICE VINCENT 1955 VIOLA2 piece back, 16 1/2", medium to large flame, ribs similar, fine grain belly, wide model, brown varnish over yellow base. A powerful yet mellow sound. View more… |
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LORENZO GUADO VIOLASize 15 3/4" Born in Italy, Lorenzo Guado came as a child to Britain, where his name was changed to Lawrence Ashford. However, he reverted back to his Italian name as a maker. We do not know much about him other than he studied violin making in Cremona and spent a lot of time in the UK, where he was selling a lot of instruments amongst professional makers, who very much like the powerful sound of his instruments. View more… |
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ERIC JACKSON 2012 VIOLALabelled "Eric Jackson, Isle of North Uist, 2012" One-piece-back 41.5 cm, 16 3/8", fine to medium flame, well flamed scroll and ribs, fine to medium grained belly, brown varnish applied on an orangey varnish. View more… |
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JOHN DILWORTH VIOLA, BROTHERS AMATI COPY, 1616Viola by John Dilworth, copy of Brothers Amati viola dated 1616. Beautifully flamed one-piece back, 16 1/2". View more… |
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UNLABELLED VIOLAInteresting old viola, with a charming look and sound. Played professionally for several years prior to our acquisition. Beautifully flamed one piece back. 16 3/8th". Must be tried! Call 02920 227761 to book a viewing. View more… |
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PAUL HARRILD VIOLA, MAGGINI COPYAlthough a very busy teacher at the Newark school of violin making, Paul Harrild has made over 400 instruments, making him one of the most prolific British contemporary violin makers! He specialises in emulating the Great Italian master makers whilst adding his own unique flair, and we think he does a very fine job of it! This beautiful viola is a copy of Gio Paolo Maggini of Brescia, C 1610. 41.2 cms (16 1/4"). The one-piece back is cut on the slab, giving a very spectacular figure. Double purfled as Maggini used to do. This viola is really worth coming to try! View more… |
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PAUL HARRILD VIOLA, GUARNERI COPYThis beautiful viola is based on an Andrea Guarneri of Cremona, 1976. 16 1/2". Beautiful example of fine making. Must be tried! View more… |
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INTERESTING OLD VIOLA, POSSIBLY ITALIANBeautiful one-piece-back, 16 3/8". Tight flame, with similar ribs and scroll. Wide grain belly with a flat arch. Very good condition. Well worth trying! View more… |
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LADISLAV PROKOP VIOLALadislav's methods are based upon understanding and utilising the principle techniques of the 18th century luthiers, to create instruments rich in sound, power, and responsiveness, with an appealing appearance. Ladislav's instruments have proven to be very popular with our customers and this viola is no exception. Call 02920 227761 to book a viewing today. View more… |
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CHARDON PERE ET FILS 1903 VIOLAViola in our opinion by and labelled : 'Chardon Pere et Fils, Luthiers, Paris 1903'. Also stamped 'Chardon & Chanot a Paris' above the label. 2-piece back of narrow flame, ribs similar, plain scroll, belly of medium to wide grain View more… |
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IAN ROSS ANDREA GUARNERI COPY VIOLAAnother great instrument by Ian Ross! 16 1/4" inch viola, String length 14 7/8"/475mm, 1 piece back View more…
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WILLIAM JONES 1984 VIOLALabelled: William H Jones from Ickenham Middlesex View more… |
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LUCA PRIMON 2004 VIOLABeautifully crafted 16"/407mm modern Italian viola, labelled "Luca Primon, Milano 2004" View more… |
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IAN ROSS GUADANINI COPY VIOLALabelled "Joseph I Ross, Pitlochry Fecit anno 2013" View more…
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WOJCIECH TOPA VIOLA1 piece back 42.5 cm 16 ¾, varying flame going from narrow to wild, string length 79 cms, 14 7/16th”, ribs of narrow to medium flame, scroll narrow figure, belly fine flame, rich amber-brown varnish Must be tried! Call 02920 227761 to book an appointment. View more… |
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ROY W. MORGAN VIOLALovely viola labelled: 'Roy W. Morgan 2 piece back, 43.2cm/17" narrow flame, ribs similar, scroll similar, orangey-brown varnish View more… |
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IAN HIGHFIELD VIOLAStunning viola by Ian Highfeld labelled View more… |
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COLIN IRVING VIOLALabelled: 'Colin Irving Guildford anno 1980 no. 91' View more…
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DAVID MILWARD‘Labelled: 'David Milward Viola Maker, Instrument No. 54, Made 2004' View more… |
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IAN ROSS GASPARRO DE SALO VIOLALabelled: 'Joseph I Ross View more… |
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JOHN WATKINS 2009 VIOLAViola labelled: John Watkins, Argoed, Gwent, Wales, No 58, 2009 View more… |
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MATTHIAS KAYSSLER 2016 VIOLABeautiful viola from the contemporary German maker. Despite only having started making instruments in 2008, Matthias Kayssler's instruments have received widespread acclaim and are owned by many fine players worldwide. View more… |
The above listings represent a very small portion of our stock. Please call 02920 227761 for more information
